Chapter 253

"Did Sister-in-law sign Emily up for the re-education program?"

Margaret Johnson's teacup slipped from her fingers and shattered on the floor. Scalding tea splashed onto her trousers, but she barely noticed. A chill crept up from her feet, freezing her in place.

That gentle, soft-spoken sister-in-law—had she really stabbed her youngest sister in the back?

"Mom, are you sure?" Margaret's voice trembled. "Sister-in-law always doted on Emily..."

Mrs. Johnson sighed, her eyes glistening with tears. "I checked the records myself at the re-education office. Old Wang, the clerk who handled it back then, remembers. Emily refused to sign, so your sister-in-law signed for her."

Margaret shot to her feet, then collapsed back into her chair. She remembered that summer—Emily's heart-wrenching sobs, the way the whole family dismissed her as spoiled. Now, the truth was clear.

"How is Emily now?"

"That girl is tough," Mrs. Johnson wiped her tears. "She married well—two sons, a brick-tile house. Her husband's a brigade cadre. Though... he's been away recently."

"Private business?" Margaret caught the implication. "With the new policies, the ambitious ones are all leaving."

Mrs. Johnson nodded, then suddenly grasped her eldest daughter's hand. "I want to give my job to Emily."

Margaret's heart clenched. She'd rushed back to work right after childbirth for that position. But now...

"I agree, Mom," she said without hesitation. "Emily's suffered too much."

The memory of her little sister twirling in a floral dress, laughing in the courtyard, flashed before her eyes. A shiver ran down Margaret's spine—had Sister-in-law planned this all along? Sent their pampered youngest into hardship, ruining her life?

"And when our brother insisted on marrying into his wife's family..." Margaret's voice tightened. "Could that have been Sister-in-law's doing too?"

Mrs. Johnson paled. The same suspicion had clearly crossed her mind.

"Emily said she won't abandon her husband and children," Mrs. Johnson murmured. "Ask your husband if his factory needs temporary workers. I heard her husband knows how to drive a tractor."

Margaret nodded firmly. This time, she would protect her sister. But was it too late to make up for all those years of betrayal?